Queen Creek does graduate many of its productive defensive players but returns 12 total starters, the kind of experience it did not have in last season's somewhat surprise run.

"We got great kids out there and we do have some kids with a lot of talent," coach Joe Germaine said. "Last year, we were a pretty young team. So a lot of our guys got some good experience. We even started a couple of sophomores last year. That's always a good thing to have. This year we got some players who worked really hard and haven't rested on what they were able to accomplish last year. They made improvements this year and matured as better athletes. Hopefully that transitions into being better football players."

Germaine said the team's summer work went well with many players improving strength through the weightlifting program.

Queen Creek's offense will again have Carson Jones at quarterback. As a junior last season, Jones completed 65 percent of his passes and recorded 1,636 yards with 16 touchdowns. His favorite receiver, Gabe Vazquez (36 catches, 564 yards and five touchdowns), also returns. Matt Guida shared carries with Shaq Johnson last year but figures to carry much of the load this season. Guida had 21 fewer carries than Johnson but was still just five yards shy of leading the team in rushing.

"Hopefully that experience will help us quite a bit," Germaine said. "I think one of our strengths this year is the amount of seniors we have. That's one of the things we've always talked about since Day One, senior leadership. It's going to be extremely important to this team this year."

The defense will rely on the leadership of lineman Drake Danielson, who recorded 111 tackles last season, and defensive backs Mike Graff and Dean Wenger, who recorded two interceptions in 2011.

"The defense has been doing a fine job as well," Germaine said. "They're well coached. We have Don Kramer at defensive coordinator and he's a legend. Mark Swartz and Travis Sherman have done a tremendous job coaching those guys. (Along with Danielson, Graff and Wenger), a lot of newcomers are stepping in for those guys who left that were pretty productive. Its a great opportunity for some young guys to come in and make their mark."